Kota Kinabalu: The Kadazandusun Cultural Association's (KDCA) youth development movement on Monday pledged it will do its best to assist Sabahans stranded in Kuala Lumpur.

Its Chairman, Allan Guim Dumbong, gave the undertaking in response to Daily Express' front-page report Monday on jobless and homeless people from East Malaysia in the nation's capital.

This was based on checks with non-governmental organisations like the Kechara Soup Kitchen Society, A.H.O.D Bukit Nenas, Kuala Lumpur and Street Fellowship at Klang Bus Station, which revealed they are mostly from Sabah, comprising mainly those who went to the peninsula seeking fortune but who fell prey to those who had promised them jobs.

"The Sabahans concerned should consider coming home for good as there are many things that can be done to earn income in Sabah such as tapping rubber, cultivating vegetables and fruits or doing small businesses," he said in a statement.

The income in the beginning may not be high but the potential is there in the long run, he added, saying there is nothing better than being home and staying close with families and relatives.

"This will also ease the worries of the families," he said.

Allan also called on Sabahans in Kuala Lumpur, particularly Kadazandusuns, to approach the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Klang Valley branch on their predicaments and seek assistance.

He hoped the NGOs which highlighted the issue, Kechara & A.H.O.D Bukit Nanas, will also compile information about the youths and contact the KDCA. "If any of the Sabahans concerned is Kadazandusun, we will try to assist them to get in touch with their families," said Allan.

Penampang: A lavish One Malaysia Gong Xi Fa Cai 2010 celebration will be held at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) on Jan 22 until Feb 21,2010 with top local and international artistes invited to perform.

Managing Director of XPL Global Sdn Bhd, J. S. Ling said the event was planned after taking the cue from the Prime Minister's 1Malaysia vision.

"We being a corporate social responsibility organisation are initiating the celebration to realise our Prime Minister One Malaysia Vision by organising and the uniting Malaysians to celebrate the One Malaysia Gong Xi Fa Cai," he said in a press conference at KDCA on Friday.

He said the Hongkod Koisaan Hall was picked as the venue for the event as it represent a non-political association for over 40 indigenous ethnic communities in Sabah.

Moreover, he said the KDCA grounds have been utilised over the years for various cultural events particularly the Kaamatan Festival that has earned it recognition.

Hence, what better way to celebrate the Chinese New Year (CNY) with the people of Sabah in a venue that inculcates cultural and social harmony among the multi-ethnic communities in the State, he said.

Ling said the KDCA would be decorated with traditional red lanterns and colourful traditional decorations.

The lanterns would depict, among others, the God of Fortune, God of Health, Wealth and Longevity, Grand One Malaysia roaring tiger and 11 Chinese Astrology Animals.

"There would be also two 120 feet long and 12 feet high dragons placed at the main entrance of the KDCA," he said.

Throughout the one-month celebration, Ling said the KDCA would be transformed into a one-stop Chinese New Year Market with more than 100 outlets retailing all the necessities ranging from supermarket to departmental store merchandise.

To complement the retail outlets, he said the XPL Global has planned a Sabah Food Fusion where more than 100 food stalls promoting Sabah's delicacies would be set up.

"We will also have singing competitions for the senior citizens and children, beauty pageant, photography contest, traditional games, lucky draw and fun fair," he said.

In addition, he said they have invited a Chinese world-class acrobatic troupe to perform.

He said that among the local artistes expected to perform during the event are Ning Baizura, Misha Omar, Mohan and Lee Yan Ping while Chinese artiste, Liu San Jie and also artistes from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Radio station MY FM, he said, would be covering the event.

On other developments, he said proceeds from the One Malaysia Gong Xi Fa Cai 2009 would be channelled to organisations such as Ranau Hospital Thalaesemia Association, Koisaan Educational Trust Fund, SJK ? Pai Wen Ranau and Malaysia Chinese Independent Secondary Schools.

Source: Daily Express

Spot for leisure, fish spa in Kg Kinolosodon Kimanis

15 Jan 2010

KIMANIS: A Tagal system at Kg Kinolosodon here has huge potential to be another tourist destination for leisure and fish spa activities, said Bongawan Assemblyman Datuk Karim Bujang.

He said the Tagal spot has a suitable natural surrounding for visitors to enjoy fish-massage like the one at Kg Luanti, Ranau as well as for picnicking.

"I was made to understand by a senior officer of the Sabah Fisheries Department that the natural surrounding at the Tagal system of Kg Kinolosodon is more interesting and attractive compared to those in Kg Luanti.

"The river has big boulders and deep waters which make the area very suitable to be turned into a recreational spot for locals and tourists.

"In fact, the river water looks clear, serene and unpolluted, which can attract people to swim and enjoy the green scenery," he said.

Karim said this to Daily Express when attending the first harvest of the Tagal system at Kg Kinolosodon situated along the Kimanis-Keningau route, near here, Saturday.

About 12 villages situated near the Kimanis River are benefiting from the harvest. Among the fish they harvested were Pelian, Serawi and Lomi.

Due to the huge tourism potential at the Kinolosodon Tagal area, Karim said one villager will be sent for a seminar and workshop to learn how to manage the river so that population of the freshwater fish would not dwindle and the cleanliness level at the river is maintained.

He said they are also planning for the villager to acquire the skill of taming the fish so that fish can eat food from the visitors' hands and give them the nibbling massage sensation like the fish in Kg Luanti.

Karim said he will also provide basic facilities like toilet and a changing room near the Tagal spot for visitors.

A main committee to be formed by the villagers can collect entrance fees from visitors, he added.

"The launching of 30 Tagal systems in Papar covering Sg. Papar, Sg. Kimanis and Sg. Bongawan was done in February last year. Of the 30, 10 spots along Sg. Kimanis have been identified and the Tagal system at Kg Kinolosodon is among them for fish and environment conservation.

"So today (Saturday), is the first harvest for the Tagal system at Kg Kinolosodon and I am proud that the villagers have shown interest and are working hand in hand with the Fisheries Department to revive the population of freshwater fish in the river," he said.

Karim said the next harvest at the village would be carried out in two years' time.

It wants to organise and unite the people to celebrate the first 1Malaysia Gong Xi Fa Cai (Chinese New Year) to be held at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), near here from Jan 22 to Feb 21, next year.

XPL Global managing director Ling Joo Seng said the KDCA was chosen as the venue for the celebration because of the uniqueness of the place, as well as Sabah being the origin of the 1Malaysia concept.

He said the coming Year of the Tiger would be a new endeavour for KDCA to participate and celebrate the 1Malaysia Gong Xi Fa Cai with the Sabah people to embrace the message of cultural and social harmony among the multi-ethnic commmunities.

"We have a lot of activities during the month-long celebration and we hope all Malaysians will make this 1Malaysia Chinese New Year celebration, a successful and memorable one," he told reporters here today.

Ling said, during the celebration, KDCA would be converted into a one-stop Chinese new year market, with more than 100 outlets retailing all necessities, ranging from supermarket and departmental merchandises.

"We have also provide more than 100 food stalls promoting the best Sabah delicacies," he said, adding that the celebration would certainly be a hit for the people of Sabah.

Ling said the organiser would also display two dragons, measuring 120 feet long and 12 feet high at KDCA's main entrance.

Meanwhile, KDCA secretary-general Suman Yasambun said the association was honoured to be chosen as the venue for such an important event.

He said KDCA would play its role in fostering unity, friendship and cooperation among Sabah's multi-racial population.